A GREAT HUI.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1690, 5 March 1913, Page 9

A GREAT HUI.

OPENING OF A NEW MAORI CHURCH. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) \ . Gisborns, March 8. For months past the Natives of To Arai have been preparing for a great hui or Maori assemblage to celebrate the opening of tho new church at Manutuke, which, has been built upon the ashes of that burned down some four years ago, and which contained what.wero claimed to'be the most exquisite Maori carvings extant. The. modern ,workers of the art have been , called in-from Rotorua and elsewhere, and an earnest endeavour has been made to "reincarnate" the old oarv'.ings. The hui will be tho biggest ever held in the history of New Zealand, and will probably be the last great reunion of the Maori people. Already over 1000 Natives are encamped on the : huge marae, and a vast raupo dining hall has been constructed, with seating accommodation for 960. Further batches of visitors are arriving daily, and by Wednesday, when tho hui will be officially opened, it is expected that 2000 will be in camp, while that number will probably 'bo increased before tho function is brought to a close. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the hui will bo a disenssidn affecting the welfare of tho Maori people while the legends of tho Maori as understood by various tribes and peoples will be reviowed, and an honest-attempt made to evolve an authentic stofy dealing with their early history. A particular matter will be a discussion on the origin of the great canoes. In tho meantime' great • supplies of food hav< been laid .in„ and" already tho celebrations are proceeding apace. Mr.' Herries will be present at the opening ceremony on Vjehalf of the Govornment,